The online effect of Oscar noms

'Avatar' way ahead in the best-pic pack

The box office boost from an Oscar nomination is well known, but what does the award mean for views on online film trailers?

Variety and Internet video metrics firm Visible Measures are teaming up to track the 10 best picture nominees’ viral clips in the weeks leading up to the big night.

In the first week Fox’s “Avatar” stands at No. 1. With more than 6 million views and counting, the sci-fi 3D epic holds a potentially impenetrable lead on the chart. So the real suspense at the starting line lies with the the rest of the trailers in the race.

Disney’s “Up” stands tall at No. 2 with 330,010 views, despite being the farthest from its release date of May 29, 2009, while The Weinstein Co. pic “Inglourious Basterds” is hot on its heels with 323,557 views.

Summit’s “The Hurt Locker” sits at No. 4 with 291,514 views, impressive considering the Iraq war film was in limited theatrical release and had moved onto DVD before scoring the Oscar best picture nom. Expect the numbers to rise as the first Iraq war-themed pic to nab an Oscar best pic nom rides the post-announcement wave to a theatrical rerelease.

At No. 5 and still on the bigscreen is George Clooney starrer “Up in the Air.” Paramount pic is at 280,270 views

Lionsgate’s “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” is in sixth place with just under 212,000 views.

Sony’s “District 9” is at No. 7 with 177,525 views while Warner Bros.’ “The Blind Side” is not far behind at No. 8 with close to 154,000 views.

Rounding out the chart are two indie hits basking in Oscar’s glow — Focus’ “A Serious Man” at No. 9 with over 69,000 views and Sony Pictures Classics’ “An Education” with 17,663 views.